Senate race could be definitive
The Senate race between David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz is shaping up to be the most important race in many years, going back to the Bush-Richards governor’s race of 1994. That race settled that Texas had become a Republican state and would remain one going into the future. The Dewhurst-Cruz race is likewise a watershed race. It will determine whether the Texas Republican party ventures into the roiling waters of ideological purification, as has happened in states like Arizona and Kansas and South Carolina or whether it can right the ship and return to a relatively normal course of governing.
Ted Cruz is the key figure. He has galvanized a constituency of extremists who threaten a tea party takeover of Texas politics. Rick Perry is to blame for this; it was he who jump-started the tea party movement in Texas in April of 2009. He gave it legitimacy at a rally by saying, “They say you’re a bunch of right-wing extremists, and if you are, I’m for you.” (The quote is not exact, but you get the idea.) And, of course, he hinted broadly that he supported secession. Too late, Perry must face up to the fact that he bears much of the responsibility for the extremism of the Republican party; he cannot control the forces that he unleashed, and he has reaped the whirlwind. The tea party is a mortal threat to the mainstream Republican party.
I wonder what went through Perry’s mind when he was booed at the Republican convention for supporting Dewhurst for Senate. He thought he could manage the flow of events but he couldn’t. Cruz had done what no one else in Texas politics had done, except possibly Debra Medina in 2010: He had gotten to Perry’s right. Perry’s endorsement of the Dew was worthless, just counterfeit coin.
This is what happens when a party loses interest in governing, when all that its once and future leaders care about are issues that do not improve the lot of its citizens: Voter I.D., sanctuary cities, mandatory sonograms, purging the voter rolls, and fighting the federal government at every turn. How can Republicans endure as a mainstream party when an insurgent candidate for U.S. Senate invokes the word “moderate” to condemn his opponent?
It is unfortunate that Dewhurst is cast in the role of defender of the faith. The poor guy has nothing to offer except snuggling up to Rick Perry. He has been in office for ten years and has little to show for it except a decade of toadying to the governor. I can’t think of a single achievement Dewhurst can claim while in office that isn’t also a Perry achievement. Well, the property tax cut of 05-06 was driven by the lieutenant governor’s office. The problem with Dewhurst isn’t that he doesn’t get what is going on. He gets it. It’s that he doesn’t have the political will to do something about it. Hence, the about-face on using the Rainy Day Fund last session, after which angry senators told me on the Senate floor that if there had been a vote of confidence on Dewhurst, the tally would have been 31-0 against.
Make no mistake: the future of the Republican party is on the line in the Senate race. This is a “For Whom the Bell Tolls” moment. If Cruz wins, it means that powerful Washington interests with the ability to spend far more than our home-state politicians and sugar daddys, are poised to insert themselves into Texas politics and change its course. Even Perry understands this, which is why he is all-in for Dewhurst. What is going to stop the tea party and its deep-pockets national backers from taking over Texas politics with money that comes from outside the state? What is to stop them from uniting behind another Ted Cruz-like candidate to defeat Rick Perry’s bid for reelection. This is exactly what has happened in the Senate race, and it will continue to happen in future race.
There is another aspect to the Dewhurst-Cruz battle, and it is the tendency of the mainstream Republicans to fail to act in their own best interests. It is stunning to me that Greg Abbott continues to harass Hispanics with Voter I.D. and purging the voter rolls: that he can’t see the damage it is doing to the party’s future. He is willing to trade long-term political gain for his party in return for short-term political gain for himself.
The tea party is an immediate threat but not a long-term one; it is a one-generation phenomenon, the last gasp of old angry uninformed white guys. Hispanics are a different story; they represent the future and without them the Republicans have no future. Does it change anyone’s thinking? Apparently not.
I had a conversation with a nationally known Republican consultant yesterday . Here is what he told me: “If Ted Cruz wins the Senate race, Texas will be a purple state in four years.” In other words, the tea party is so extreme that even a Democrat might be able to get elected. Does it change anyone’s thinking? Probably not.
The Mustache That Dare Not Speak Its Name says:
Well, that last paragraph settles it. Go Ted Cruz!
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
This is rubbish on Burka’s part and just a pure rant. He does not agree with the values or goals of the conservatives in the Republican party so he labels them extremists and bemoans the death of the “good” Republican party. Ha! People across the nation, and not just in the GOP, are sick of the politicians in both parties that helped get us into this mess and they respect candidates that run true and consistent campaigns. You may not like Ron Paul or others like him, but candidates that don’t lie and don’t pander are becoming more and more powerful in today’s politics. A Cruz victory would be a great thing for Texas and America. Perry bitching and moaning about The Club for Growth and FreedomWorks simply shows how out of touch he really is after having been in office since 1984 and how he isn’t a consistent conservative as he tries to claim. Besides, last I saw, Cruz had FAR, FAR MORE contributors in Texas than did Dewhurst. In fact, Dewhurst is the candidate of the lobby and the vested interests.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
If Dewhurst’s internal polls do indeed show him down 47-53%, that means he has already lost early voting and will need to get 53.1% + of the vote on Tuesday (when 1/2 the votes occur) to pull this one out.
But Cruz’s grassroots conservative coalitions GOTV of phone callers, signs, social media has to be a lot more powerful then Dewhurst’s 72 hour operation. Cruz should do even better on Tuesday than he does in the early vote.
Then there is the albratross of Rick Perry around Dewhurst’s neck. I just don’t see how Dewhurst pulls out a win on this one.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
I’ll explain it to you, Robert. At some point in this race, Cruz is going to run out of tea party voters. When that happens, and it will happen, his goose is cooked. Then the huge array of business people, professionals, and civic (not political) activists who make up the Republican party all across this state are going to steamroller Ted Cruz, because they don’t want a senator who is always talking about being supported by the most conservative U.S. senators and criticizing someone for being “moderate.” I have thought from day one that Dewhurst would win this race, because he started with several obvious advantages–money and name I.D. and a bona fide conservative record. Cruz has no record to run on except to repeat how he has “fought for the constitution all his life.” Cruz ran one hell of a race, but he’s not going to make it.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Dewhurst 6-8 pts
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
There is an argument to be made about making deals across party lines, political moderation and bringing home the pork barrel. But that is not what the Dewhurst campaign and its PAC allies are choosing to close with.
Instead, the Dewhurst campaign and its PACs funded by the likes of waste dump owner Harold Simmons, Bob Perry (who created his own commission), William Greehey, Kenny Troutt, Curtis Mewbourne, Harlan Crow and new entry player, shady casino magnate Sheldon Adelson have decided to dye their heads red, load up on 6,000 rounds of ammo, put on their flack jackets and they are currently in the process of shooting up the theater of the GOP primary in the last 4 days of the campaign.
Saying that a kid committed suicide because Ted Cruz represented a crook is not the kind of message that is going to stroke the substantial amount of GOP moderates. Instead, it is appalling a small but significant (and 1-2% is significant) amount of them.
It is prima facie evidence that David Dewhurst has no game and is desperate. I don’t need to look at their internal polls because they have just showed them to us with this *strategy.*
Hell, I can run a better campaign off of my Facebook page. Ted Cruz is closing positive with rallies and conservative opinion makers guarding his back.
If the Dewhurst campaign were smart, they would give us some positive reason to vote for him. I can’t imagine Ted Cruz winning by a big margin, but I can’t imaging Dewhurst winning at all.
garyfan Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
But it doesn’t look like Cruz is going to run out of steam before run-off day and, even though there’s a Democrat running in the general election, the winner of the run-off will be the winner of the race. It looks like we are destined to have Sen. Cruz representing us.
Willie Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Great piece, and to the heart of the matter: Republicans have no real values, agenda or ability to govern. They are interested in hot button oratory, kicking the fire ant nest. They care not about thier state, only their party purity.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
When did democrats get values?
Leah Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Pieces like this are emblematic of why I stopped voting Democrat at the age of 29 in the late ’90s.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) says:
You have made some good points, however, you do not understand the driving force behind the Tea Party movement. It will only gain strength and diversity in future elections b/c the grassroots base of this country wants our country back from the Alinsky-taught left wing liberals and it takes a powerful force to get that done!
Reply »
Anonnymoose Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
“grassroots base”….? Oh, you mean the Rump.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I don’t wish to make light of Mary Jo’s comments, but … no one reads Alinsky any more, not even the organizers of community-based activist groups.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
The radical left does not have to read Alinsky, as his “Rules for Radicals” has become ingrained in their thinking and philosophy. I suggest that we conservatives read and learn and use their tactics for our advantage. Maybe someone with the TEA PARTY should write a book…RULES FOR TEA PARTY CONSERVATIVES and dedicate the book to our founding fathers and Judeo/Christian values. (Not Lucifer, as Alinsky did)
Reply »
Jerry Only Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
yeah to hell with alinsky for organizing those uppity negroes and trying to make their lives better!
yeah. the world would have been so much better off segregated.
I'm Pavlov. Ring a Bell? Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Ah, the racism charge–when all else fails…
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Jerry, I see the method of deflection is well ingrained in your thinking…That is OK! Now I laugh but I used to get angry.
Jerry Only Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
please explain to me how else youre supposed to take her statements?
Chicago Rabbi Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
For what it’s worth,Saul Alinsky was a Russian Jew. You know Judaism, thats the Judeo in Judeo Christian you are referencing. Religious McCarthyism should have no place on this blog or in polite discourse.
Also, you’re wrong about the dedication. He dedicated his book to his wife, Irene. This sentiment is more or less what Burka is concerned about.
When good people believe easy lies over hard truths, the dissolution of civil society cannot be far behind.
Willie Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
The Alinsky charge is laughable, like calling Mein Kampf the Tea Party bible.
Garner's Bucket Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Come now, the average TPer has enough trouble reading a book let alone writing one…
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
I have read Rules for Radicals. I teach it in my politics course. It is a very moral book. He was not a bombthrower. He was an alliance maker. One of his “rules” in the area of strategy and tactics is “the price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” In other words, if you are going to get involved in politics, you can’t just tear down the other side. You have to try to work things out, to move the ball toward a resolution. We would be a lot better off today if more people in politics followed that rule.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Here is Saul Alinsky’s “OVER-THE-SHOULDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT” TO LUCIFER:
“Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer
You are correct, he did not throw bombs….just a method for the “weak” to overcome the “powerful” He gave his 60′s followers a brilliant method to advance their agenda, and his. Conservatives could use his message..(weak over powerful) I wonder when the publishers deleted the above acknowledgement to Lucifer in his books that are currently being printed. And why.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:13 am
I read Rules for Radicals and I intentional used them against Hillary Clinton (and other targets). And yes it is quite interesting publisher’s are now leaving out Alinsky’s hat tip to Satan:
Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.
Rule 11: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it. Don’t try to attack abstract corporations or bureaucracies. Identify a responsible individual. Ignore attempts to shift or spread the blame.
http://vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/rules.html
Jerry Only Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 3:14 am
hey mary jo, youre one of those ridiculous weirdos with the pins in your hat shouting at anyone who will pay attention to you for 5 seconds arent you?
Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
As usual, it’s those dirty HIPPIES with their peace signs and love-ins who are responsible for every bad thing that has ever happened since, oh, 196-something. Really sad, you lost-in-time rightwingers are. Hey, I bet there’s a long-haired weirdo 60s radical under your bed or in your closet RIGHT NOW!! Better go turn on the lights and then jump back into bed and pull the covers up over your head.
Anonymous says:
Paul, look at who funds Dews super PAC. Also, Austin interests are just as terrible as DC interests.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Thank-you. It is not like Bill Miller, Mike Toomey, Mike Krusee, Dan Shelley & et alia are the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Reply »
Bay of Pigs Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:57 am
The fact that people like Mike Krusee have a job makes me weep for America.
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Yeah, who was the “highly regarded Republican consultant” who said a Cruz victory means a purple Texas in four years? I bet he’s aligned with the Perry-Dewhurst establishment and thus his opinion is pretty worthless.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
He is NOT aligned with the Perry-Dewhurst establishment.
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Sarah Palin said tonight at the Unity Rally that Obama said that Texas could turn purple and become a swing state. Don’t think that’s going to happen and the Tea Party (radicals
did not either. With a shout out.
Robert Morrow says:
“the last gasp of old angry uninformed white guys” … I just canvassed my precinct #212 for Cruz and that is EXACTLY who is voting for David Dewhurst!! The women voters and younger voters are going with Ted Cruz.
“conversation with a highly regarded Republican consultant” – did this guy also tell you Rick Perry was going to be the next president of the USA?
“Rick Perry is to blame for this; it was he who jump-started the tea party movement in Texas in 2010.” That Tea Party rally was in Austin at the City Council building on 4/15/2009. I was there.
It was noon in Austin, TX. It was a warm day in April, 2009, and most folks at the Tea Party rally were wearing short sleeve shirts and shorts (I also had a baseball cap). The downtown lunchtime crowd was in suits or business attire. Rick Perry showed up – about 4 minutes away from his governor’s office – looking like he was going quail hunting and sporting a hunting cap. Then Slick Rick starts ranting “Fed up!” “States’ rights!” Then Perry alluded to Texas secession.
Here is Bilderberger Rick Perry hinting at Texas secession, putting it on the table: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5xTxcFA398
Rick Perry:
“if Washington [Rick Perry, Dewhurst, big government Republicans] continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what may come out of that?” But he’s made clear all along that “we’ve got a great union” and there is “no reason to dissolve it.”
Reply »
centexliberal says:
I have been asking my GOP friends how they are making this decision since we both believe it to be clear that C&D would vote exactly the same 99% of the time. The most common response:”I am voting for Cruz because Perry endorsed Dewhurst.” That sentiment is almost universal among my moderate Republican friends. I think about trying to inform them about what a bad choice Cruz is……but, no, let them shoot themselves in the foot.
Reply »
Jerry Only says:
“the last gasp of old angry uninformed white guys.”
haha!
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:49 am
racists will love that line. White and anti-dem and not ashamed.
Reply »
Jerry Only Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
dont forget the uninformed part….
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
you’re very forgetable.
Anonnymoose Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
The older the better
Reply »
Willie Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Some truth to that line. The angry,old, uninformed white guys will claim racism.
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
You know what the Tuesday Trifecta would be? Ted Cruz, Steve Stockman and Donna Campbell all winning.
As much as I would like that, I don’t want to see Paul Burka’s head explode. And as far Texas turning Democratic because of all that, who cares? The Republicans have done enough damage haven’t they?
The statist, big government, lobbyist BFF Republicans are the ones who need to be taken down 2, 3 or 4 notches.
Reply »
Bay of Pigs says:
Paul,
I think you will find that Ted Cruz is more like John Tower than Phil Gramm, despite campaign rhetoric.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
John Tower was a solid U.S. senator. Phil Gramm, on the other hand, was an ideologue who gave us deregulation of the financial industry, which came close to wrecking the world economy.
Reply »
Jared Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
You should really stop commenting on the financial crisis. You’re completely uninformed.
Reply »
Jerry Only Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
enlighten us then please?
JohnBernardBooks says:
Tea partiers will hold dems accountable. Dems aren’t used to being held accountable by their party, the media or the DOJ. The dems with their myriad of looting schemes are afraid of being exposed, no wonder they are so afraid of them.
Reply »
paulburka says:
I always thought Tower was a very solid senator. Phil Gramm is a different story. He was 100% ideologue. Deregulating the financial markets, his signature “achievement,” almost destroyed the country.
Reply »
Scoop Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
It still is destroying the country. Gramm is just as reponsible as Frank or Dodd for the legalized gambling he help institute.
Reply »
Willie James Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Reagans trickle down and the conservatives unfailing belief in it are as much to blame as anything else for our economy.
Reply »
Alan Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Paul, if you’ve never read “Losers” by Michael Lewis, I’d recommend picking up a copy (though I think it’s out of print). He devotes more paragraphs to the men who lost to Bob Dole in the ’96 GOP primary (Gramm, Buchanan, Lamar Alexander, etc) than any other journalist did, and his observations about Phil Gramm are candid and hilarious.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Just finished reading “Moneyball” last night. Thanks for the tip.
My Phil Gramm story–and I heard it from Karl Rove–was that when Gramm was running for president in ’96, and Rove was his consultant, Rove asked Gramm if he had written thank you notes to the people he met in Iowa. Gramm said (according to Karl) that he thought the people in Iowa were supposed to thank him for coming.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
I think Gramm ran for president in ’92, though he exited the race early.
Jerry Only Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
you mean 88? bush was incumbent?
Jared Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Funny, crisis happened all over the world, even in countries where they didn’t “deregulate”.
Reply »
Bay of Pigs says:
Agreed. Paul, imagine if Tower had become Secretary of Defense. There may have never been a Vice President Dick Cheney.
Reply »
Patriotone says:
The “Tea Party” is a one trick pony. Clearly the best thing that could happen to the Dems in Texas would be a Cruz victory. The irony is that Ted Cruz is no more Tea Party than he is a butterfly. He will do what the big rich want him to do and will never deviate from that course. Having said that, a Cruz victory facilitates a more rapid return to two party politics in Texas. Yes Virginia… Texas is just as crazy as it looks sometimes.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
HA HA You say the TEA PARTY is a “one trick pony” …they said that after the 2010 elections. Ted Cruz is going to be a FORCE in DC…loud, articulate and will draw attention to the RINO elite and the wacky Democrats! He will therefore be able to UNITE and get things done like REAGAN and GINGRICH. I am glad that he is only 41 yrs old b/c he will be able to gain power over his next 2 or 3 terms…I have met him and he is a FORCE! (ALSO REAL DOWN TO EARTH TEXAN) Look out DC….here comes TEXAS!!
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
The choice between Cruz and Dewhurst is irrelevant. There’s not a dimes worth of difference between them, except maybe where there ultimate loyalties will lie (i.e., which donors they take orders from).
A Cruz win does tell us that the Tea Party (ignorant minions of out-of-state, big dollar politicos like the Koch Brothers) are sizable enough to take down the Texas Establishment.
And it’s all kind of funny to watch the Perry campaign team go down in flames AGAIN this year given how brilliant they thought they were when they took down KBH in 2010.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Yep – Cruz could be a U.S. Senator for 24 years.
Reply »
WUSRPH Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I hate to point out that BOTH Reagan and even Newt WORKED with Democrats on occasion. Cruz will have trouble even working with members of his own party who do not want to revert to the late 19th Century.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Good. Ronald Reagan libertarian rhetoric; statist governing.
Ronald Reagan: An Autopsy
by Murray N. Rothbard
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard60.html
Pants of Fire says:
Dan Patrick got hyperdefensive in his on-air fight with Ted Cruz June 28, 2012, when Cruz said Dan has endorsed/is supporting Dewhurst:
“I’m not endorsing you [Ted Cruz] for the senate position. I’m not endorsing David Dewhurst for the senate position. I will be voting for one of you, ok?”
A month later, Dan Patrick endorses David Dewhurst (and backhand slaps the Tea Party across the face). Recall that a year ago, Dan Patrick was publicly saying Dewhurst doesn’t have the backbone to be a US Senator.
Everything Ted Cruz said in that on-air interview turns out to be dead on. And everything Dan Patrick said turns out to be either flip-flopping and outright dishonesty.
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Dan Goeb is a clown senator, bro.
Reply »
John Johnson says:
This old, white, informed, independent guy just cancelled out Mr. Morrow’s Cruz vote.
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Good for you, but it won’t be enough. I even know a couple of folks in Dallas Co that are going for Cruz over Leppert because they can’t stand the campaign Dewhurst has run. Dewhurst and his minions can’t believe it, but he’s in very, very serious trouble.
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton says:
I meant they were Leppert voters going for Cruz instead of Dewhurst.
Reply »
Distinguished Gentleman says:
There should be another profound lesson in all of this.
I just voted for Ted Cruz about an hour ago. Had Dewhurst not gone so over-the-top with his negative attacks on Ted Cruz, my vote could have easily gone the other way (I didn’t vote for either of them on May 29–I voted for one of the other candidates).
But the days of scorched-Earth, extremely negative campaigning must end and I hope that that lesson goes forth to all present and future candidates for public office.
In theory, Dewhurst should have won this nomination outright without a run-off. I believe that had he not been so vitriolic, that is precisely what WOULD have happened. I don’t feel at all sorry for Dewhurst, as he still retains the Lieutenant Governor’s position and really has lost only money and the esteem of the public.
Take a hint, candidates, if you are going to give us negative campaigning, then you are well advised to do so in lighter doses.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 9:56 am
David Guenther, is that you?
Reply »
Anonymous says:
I plan on voting Tuesday. But to be honest the comments on here and in the news is why I am quickly losing faith. Those RINO’s, those wacky Dems, those tea partiers are people. I was raised to believe that people, no matter if you disagreed, deserved respect. That true debate is about at least hearing and respecting a different point of view. I get it you are smarter and can yell louder than the rest of us. But you know what we all lose when the majority of American’s lose interest in what is happening.
I like Cruz I think he is a really smart guy who will defend basic rights. But I also worked under Dewhurst and know that he also is a smart guy. It’s ashame because the only thing that people like parents know about the two is one defended a company out of China and the other lied about an income tax.
I get it all the folks who post on here and read this stuff are informed. But someone needs to wake up and realize that the heart and soul of democracy is dying and no one seems to even care. And yes I know I need to back up that statement, i only say this how can a government for the people, by the people and of the people exist when a majority of them simply don’t vote nor care.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) says:
I lost faith, Anonymous, after the Florida primary and the RNC allowing their own rules to be violated and skewing the primaries. I lost all faith that Wethe People would have any true voice in the presidential election. Then TED CRUZ comes along and grabs my attention..gives me hope and a prayer for our republic. I give respect where respect is due..and I have not found much to respect in Washington or Austin. I care about the heart and soul of our republic and after thoroughly vetting TED CRUZ, I feel he will be a game changer in DC that TEXAS can be proud of,
Reply »
Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
We get it already, you’re the head cheerleader of the TED CRUZ groupie party. Good luck getting in that stage door.
Reply »
longleaf says:
This has never been a democracy.
It was a republic for a long time, but, as Karl Rove allegedly said in 2004, “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality-based_community
I still don’t know why the Dew can’t get one of his CIA buds to hack the touchscreens. It’s been done before. He is not “ex-CIA” anymore than Obama is. Once you’re in The Company, you can never leave. It’s like the Hotel California.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks says:
the looters are growing antsy, it’s getting closer to pitchforks and torches time.
Reply »
A2Z Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
This from a creature who insisted Perry would win the presidency. Right, JBB? You said Perry would win. You were wrong. As usual.
Reply »
Philip says:
Mostly valid points but there are exceptions. Voter ID is legit. Nothing could be worse than elections becoming a contest of who can best do voter fraud. Denying that voter fraud takes place is disingenous-LBJ 1948. It is also ridiculous to speak about the impossibility of getting IDs. That is the argument of those who want to use fraud for their political means.
Reply »
WUSRPH Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
The “voter fraud” in 1948 WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED by a Voter ID law in any way. If there was fraud it happened AFTER the voting, not during. No fraudulent voting is okay…but it needs to be put into perspective…For example, our beloved Atty. Gen. says 200 dead people votd in the primaries…That is bad, but consider the fact that thas was 200 out of more than 2 MILLION votes…There votes certainly did not affect the outcome of a single election contest. He also says that there could be as many as 58,000 dead folks on the voter rolls…but only 200 of 58,000 voted…Does not sound like widespread voter fraud to me.
Reply »
Robert says:
Again Burka demonstrates that he is rather ignorant of conservative philosophy and GOP workings outside of the elitists who hang around Austin and journalists.
Reply »
Sigh says:
Voter fraud exists. Voter fraud that can be prevented by Voter ID is a myth.
Reply »
The Most Interesting Man in the World says:
I don’t always hire political consultants, but when I do, from here on out I prefer to leave Dave Carney off the payroll.
Stay thirsty my friends!
Reply »
Mamacita says:
How does that wool feel when it is pulled down over your eyes, Mary Jo? Obviously, not so bad. Was it the slick talk? The Harvard law degree? It doesn ‘t bother you that he has no real political experience? No, I’m talking about Cruz, not Obama.
Reply »
Distinguished Gentleman Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
As if to suggest that “real political experience” is always automatically good and positive thing, Mamacita?
Reply »
WUSRPH Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
As Sam Rayburn said when looking at all the Harvard and Yale folks working for JKF: “I’d like it better if at least one of them had run for sheriff once.” He meant that it would be good that those who have to work in politics know something about how the system functions…which Cruz, based on his comments about the budget, etc. in Texas, cleary does not..
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
I feel that “political experience” these days is a detriment..Score ONE big one for CRUZ! Thomas Jefferson thought so too in regard to the congressmen that we send to DC. The years have taught us that his observations of over 200 yrs ago were RIGHT ON! Bye Ya’ll..on my way to the Unity Rally. Looking forward to hearing Sarah Palin and Jim DeMint and TED CRUZ! Hoping for a big win for Texas and the US Senate on Tuesday! GOD BLESS TEXAS!
Reply »
Willie James Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Chuckle. You said Sarah Palin.
Reply »
Ghost of Dead Pols Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Where did Jefferson or any other FFs suggest political experience was a detriment? Heck, they were experienced pols. Some of them were *gasp* career pols.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
“All [reforms] can be done peaceably, by the people confining their choice of Representatives and Senators to persons attached to republican government and the principles of 1776; not office-hunters, but farmers whose interests are entirely agricultural. Such men are the true representatives of the great American interest, and are alone to be relied on for expressing the proper American sentiments.” –Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Campbell, 1797. ME 9:420
Brown Bess Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
You know Mary Jo, since you think so highly of Jefferson, you should read about how he edited the New Testament on his own into the “Jefferson Bible.” He was also quite the libertine at times. He and Saul had more in common than you might want to believe. However, I’m joining you in voting for Cruz, because he truly is the man to take the Texas Republican Party over the cliff. I’m microwaving the popcorn.
Reply »
Mary Jo (@mjhudnall) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
You mean like granny over the cliff? Thanks for the support..maybe it will take just that one vote! The REAL Texas Republican Party is not what you see in Austin. Much different when the state delegates come together at the GOP (TEA PARTY) Convention. Loved Perry getting booed for his support of Dewhurst! It was probably 90% for Cruz. Will be interesting in Austin when Dewhurst loses! Makes me smile at Perry, Dan Patrick and the 18 who signed that letter for Dew only b/c they want Chairmanships and the possibility of getting a bill out of committee. VOTE ‘em out!
Garner's Bucket Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Yes, Th. Jefferson–Va House of Delegates, Congressman, Governor, Ambassador to France, Secretary of State and Vice President in the 30+ years of his life before becoming President–he certainly was an exemplar of the inexperienced statesman. It is so droll how our “Patriots” venerate their ill-informed and mostly bogus conceptualizations of the Founders. It almost makes me think you’re really a Dem sending up the TP stereotype “Mary Jo”…
Reply »
Garner's Bucket Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
And my Heavens! The RPT conventioneers are the “real” GOP??? Come now, there are people with a better grasp of reality and more mature social skills at your average Star Trek convention! (There are about the same number in costume at both however.)
Garner's Bucket Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
And finally, Ted Cruz got the near majority of Republican senators to do what Dewhurst never could have–endorse the Dew.
Reply »
Ghost of Dead Pols Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Mary that quote doesn’t suggest that experience is a detriment. Jefferson supported the idea of citizen legislators, but being a citizen legislator doesn’t mean you have zero political experience.
Distinguished Gentleman says:
Well said, The Most Interesting Man in the World.
I would think that Mr. Carney’s career in orchestrating gratuitously scorched-Earth campaigns has now concluded.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I hear that Bashar al-Assad of Syria needs some hardnosed PR work.
Reply »
Silver Lining says:
With the atrocity that is a Cruz victory the silver lining here is that the Dew gets to come back and return as lite guv, therby negating a potential (albeit far-fetched) Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
and to anonymous @ 1:32, the characteristics you are describing there at the end are of a democracy, not a working, functioning government, don’t confuse the two.
Reply »
Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Yes, it should be an interesting 2013 session with the two big flops, Perry and Dew, still hovering over the lege and taking out their frustrations on Texas citizens.
Reply »
wopate says:
That’s all we need — another “Game Changer.”
Reply »
Anonymous says:
Who isn’t endorsing in this race is much more interesting than who is.
Empower Texans, Birdwell, Ken Paxton, etc. are not endorsing. My theory is that they are afraid to go against the Governor but are also afraid of going against the tea party.
Reply »
Or Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Maybe they want no part of either one.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
THEY THINK THEY OWN THE TEA PARTY BRAND. THUS, THE LAWSUIT.
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
You can add Greg Abbott to the list of nonendorsers.
Reply »
Neither Hatfield nor McCoy Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
It’s not about the governor. It is amazing how many times people say that. The non-endorsing elected officials and candidates have this in common – they recognize there’s an off chance that Dewhurst may lose, and they’ll all be stuck working with him next session if so, but at the same time they can barely stomach the man. It’s the electoral equivalent of voting “present.”
In Abbott’s case, it could be about running for statewide office in a few years and not needing to answer questions about Dewhurst – either because it would hack off the base who adore Abbott (witness how the base is turning on Dan Patrick), or because Dewhurst could end up being competition.
Reply »
truth says:
Voted for Cruz. Gotta have another Obama lite in office!
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks says:
The tea party is viable except when the top gets too heavy with the “Thars no difference between dems and repubs crowd”. That’s the truly uninformed they are as silly as the uninformed dems who take daily direction.
Reply »
John Johnson says:
Cruz, if elected, will never look back atTexas voters. He will be lost to us. He will be yanked to and fro by Big Money and Special Interests. He will be selling votes inorder to build up his war chest. He will be using his oratorical skills to ask ” who you going to believe? Me or your lying eyes”. You will believe him and worship at his feet.
Dewhurst is a decent man who is a terrible politician. He makes bad choices, like hiring the Gov’s hacks. He stumbles, hesitates and acts like he is lost on occasion. He is still a much better choice than Cruz, because he is predictable; because he already has personal wealth; because he would offer moderates a hope for moving things in D.C. off high center.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
There is that “moderate” word again. John Johnson, would you make some last minute call-ins to radio shows and tell why you support Dewhurst?
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
New Yorker article from today: “An Insurgency in Texas”
by Kelefa Sanneh
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2012/07/texas-race-dewhurst-cruz.html#comments
On Monday, Perry posted a picture of himself with Dewhurst, and asked his Facebook followers to “help us elect conservatives like David Dewhurst.” One response, not at all atypical: “Gov keep this crap up and I may have to unfriend you. I’ve always supported you and believed in you but you r pushing it with the Dewhurst endorsement. Are u reading any of these comments? The majority of your fans including myself support Ted Cruz.”
Reply »
John Johnson says:
I use the word “moderate” because that is what Reagan would be called today…a moderate. He would shun imbeciles in his own party for a chance to sit and sip with opposition leaders and work to move things forward. You see, Mr. Morrow, in a democracy ideological “absolutes” don’t get very far. They get wedged between two immovable forces and they dry rot.
I don’t expect you to understand. You are one of them… The entrenched…the fanatical…the loons. Right now the entire Texas Republican party is flying in the same airplane at 30,000 ft. All are armed They have divided into distinct groups in the front and the back of the aircraft. Shots are now being fired back and forth over who has control. Two scenarios can happen. One of them is really bad.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Ted Cruz, like Ron Paul, realizes BOTH parties are the problem. The “moderate” Republicans and of course, the Democrats, have not figured that out.
And the “problem” is we are spending and borrowing too much money on everything. And the “solution” is to quit doing that.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
thanks for proving my point Robert, “Thars no difference between parties.” That mentality keeps dems getting up every morning with hope and change on their mind.
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
How do you know what Cruz thinks? You going by what he now says? How does what he says match up with what he ‘s done? Right… He hasn’t done anything except espouse strong belief in the sovereignty of our constitution. So how do you know what he’s going to do? You don’t. So in this respect, he’s no different than Obama. You hate Dewhurst so much you are blind to Cruz’s shortcomings. Cruz is no Ron Paul and he’s not going to get us out of wars, and he’s not going forsake pork, and he’s not going to decrease the defense budget. You’ve fallen for the bullshit.
Reply »
anita Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 9:46 am
That’s exactly right, JJ — and R’s may want to give some thought to what it means to send a relatively unvetted candidate as your nominee in November. Considering the amazingly poor job the Dew and his folks have done, let’s see what comes out between now and November.
Garner's Bucket says:
I have to counter that the angry old white guys aren’t uninformed, it’s just that most of their information is laughable propaganda conceived by the semi-deranged.
Reply »
John Johnson says:
And the younger generations are informed??? Please don’t try and convince me of that. They don’t know history or current events. A few watch John Stewart. That’s their “news “.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:00 am
the younger generation is indocterinated with democrat propoganda, ie disinformation.
Reply »
Anonymous says:
As a female center-right Republican, I never thought I’d see the day when I was called a moderate or Rhino. I am a True Republican…..it’s the Tea Party and the “angry uninformed white guys” who are the imposters.
Paul…..great article. You are exactly on target. The Republican party as I know it will be destroyed in large part due to Perry. Thanks for nothing Governor…..literally nothing
Analogical question….Do you want a surgeon who has experience and actually has performed years of surgery? Or do you want the surgeon who has only read the text book?
That’s the difference in a nutshell between Dew and Cruz
Dew has experience….Cruz reads.
I voted for Dewhurst.
Reply »
Garner's Bucket Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Yes, it won’t be too long, I don’t think, before the RINO epithet gets thrown back on these Libertarian-lite populist folks who claim to be the only “true” this, that and the other.
Reply »
Tom says:
I briefly thought about crossing over to vote for Cruz, partly because Dewhurst is worthless, partly to embarrass our Governor, but mostly because Cruz doesn’t scare me. I doubt he made it into a run-off against the sitting Lieutenant Governor by being a complete buffoon. Cruz is the epitome of the American Dream and I would prefer to think he ran such a negative campaign because that resonates with the voters. Says more about the voters than anything else.
Reply »
Anonymous says:
What exactly does Dew have experience in?
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Why don’t you do your own research? Call both campaigns, look at their records…….one has a record as a trial lawyer., the other has a record of governing.
Check for yourself and dont ask to be spoonfed.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:18 am
I think the Dew, like every other politician in the Texas Capitol, is full of horseshit.
Reply »
Bob the builder Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 1:08 am
Then why don’t you run and do a better job if it’s so easy?
WUSRPH Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:59 pm
What does Dewhust have experience in? 1) The US Military 2) Creating a successful and iniative business 3) running a major state agency 4) being Lt. Governor…..for a start….Cruz does not even come close to anything like that…He’s spent his life talking, not building…
Reply »
Coffee Coolin Coke Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:22 am
Military service means nothing to me. Neither does running a state agency. And Dewhurst’s legislative career is full of giving handouts to big business and shining Perry’s boots.
Reply »
Coffee Coolin Coke Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 8:53 am
@bob the builder, I would, but to be a politician in Texas, you have to be spineless, like Dewhurst
Ghost of Dead Pols Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
I guess that explains why Cruz wanted to run for AG
Bob the builder says:
Cruz has said he will “draw a line in the sand”. Great! That will only isolate him and he will be regulated to the furthest darkest smallest office at the Capitol.
That is an arrogant statement meaning,… I follow my own rules and I don’t play well with others. Last I counted there are 99 other Senators and many more Representatives with whom he will be working.
He will be completely ignored and therefore completely useless to Texas.
Dewhurst is a better choice than Cruz.
Reply »
Anonymous says:
I still hope, admittedly naive, that the moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats will one day come together to be dominate party, whatever they are called. That assumes that the silent majority will one day wake up and assert themselves. Usually, we skip along being our happy selves until we wake up and realize that things have gone to hell. My guess that things will have to get worse before they get better. We are kinda like junkies. We have to hit rock bottom before we turn around. Some make it, some don’t. The pendulum will swing. Unfortunately the further it swings to the right, the more momentum it will have when it begins to swing to the left
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:47 am
The main issue keeping moderate Repubs, conservative Dems and Independents apart is abortion. The far right Repubs and far left Dems know this and use it to pull those thinking of wandering back into the family. Notice how ever so often the Right to Life/ Freedom of Choice issue makes it way into the news? This is planned.
How many years have we been encouraging Israel and Egypt to agree to disagree on religious differences in order to promote peace and ratify agreements that improve life for both? What hypocrites we are.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks says:
turn out will be heavy at about 88% of primary or 1.2 million the Dew will win by 6-8 pts. This does bode well for dems. It maybe centuries before dems are competive in a statewide race again.
Reply »
Anonymous says:
What y’all seem to be missing is that Dewhurst isn’t a moderate, he is an extremist. Remember when he sold Ogden outon the rainy day fund? I thinkn Cruz is more moderate, which is why I will vote for him.
Reply »
anita Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:39 am
I don’t believe that episode showed him to be an extremist — it showed him to lack a backbone to stand up for something he believed in. There’s no one in Texas who would argue with the assertion that the Dew lacks cojones — but that has nothing to do with extremism. We also have no idea what Cruz would do in that situation, considering he has no public record.
Reply »
Anonymous says:
If Dewhurst loses, then he and Rick Perry are both gone in 2015, whether they want to be or not.
Reply »
anita says:
I hope R’s do send up Cruz as their nominee in November. It would hasten the return of Texas Democrats to viability. Cruz’s bizarre positions are so far out of the mainstream, and are damaging to Texas interests.
There’s a great photo of Cruz and his wife standing in the background while a casually clad Sarah Palin delivers red meat to the crowd — you know Ted and his wife were cringing, not knowing what vitriol would pour from Palin. I’m sure they were glad she didn’t deliver her standard thrashing of over-educated elitists from Ivy League institutions, or bailouts for corporate bankers.
The chickens are coming home to roost.
Reply »
The Mustache That Dare Not Speak Its Name Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:23 am
It would have been pretty funny if Palin said something like “We need to take America back from pointy-headed Ivy League elitists who have spent most of their careers in government. Except Ted, of course.”
Reply »
anita says:
One other thought . . .
If the Dew loses, it impacts the full leadership at the Capitol. Perry will be hit again, after his embarrassingly incompetent performance on the national stage. The Dew will be a dead man walking in the Senate, even his limited personal clout stripped. And the knives will be out in the House, with Straus’ opponents emboldened by a high-profile primary win by the nutty wing of the party.
How do you govern in that environment? All bets are off.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:39 am
Anita sweetie don’t worry your little about governing, leave that to us repubs, we’re in charge now.
Reply »
anita says:
You’re right, JBB — R’s own it, and the results speak for themselves.
In the last 2 weeks, we’ve learned that Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured in the country, we rank dead last in delivery of health care, and 25% of our children live in poverty, worst in the nation.
The Texas GOP response? “So what”. That and collective annoyance at their hotel assignment in Tampa for the convention.
When do the adults show up?
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
And we have move illegals living in our state than any other in the country besides California. Are you aware of the fiscal shape California is in? Do you understand why, Anita?
The next closest state…New York has a half a million less than we do. Are you aware of the tax rates in New York, Anita.
Stop with the highest number this and that. It is all predicated on how many people we have here illegally that we have to take care of that are not paying their way. Period. Exclamation point.
Reply »
Another View Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
I’m thinking California and New York just need quite a few more oil and gas wells. Ask Senator Ogden how much our natural resources dictate whether our state coffers are empty or full. I’m pretty tired of hearing about the Texas Model or Texas Miracle. I’ve lived here long enough to have watched our fortunes rise and fall with oil and gas production/prices.
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Thanks to the Barnett Shale play, and others after, Texas has weathered the storm thus far. A chimpanzee in a suit could have been governor and we would have been in the same shape…..maybe better.
Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Yes, and it’s only thanks to our HORRIBLY regulated mortgage industry that our Texas banks and housing market didn’t share in the disasters that overtook the rest of the nation’s greedy bankers. But that was also just a legacy of dumb luck and the wisdom of past generations that modern day Republicans can’t wait to throw out.
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Hard get more adult than me. As the Dew told me long ago, take no prisioners JBB dems don’t.
The Dew by 6-8 pts.
Anita are you still trying to get me to pay for Mexico’s uninsured? Let the Mexican government take care of their uninsured instead of catering to the drug cartels.
Reply »
anita says:
Illegals!!! Everything is to blame on illegals!!! What a load.
You guys are smarter than that. Illegals in Texas pay the exact same taxes as citizens, and they are ineligible for most if not all state programs. They wash our dishes, roof our homes, clean our offices, bake our bread, for less $ and no benefits. If you wanted the feds to pick up the cost for their ER visits, you had the perfect opportunity under the ACA. But your governor refused, so now we’re stuck with the tab. So you need to find another group to blame.
They also don’t explain why we pay the highest rates for insurance, one of the highest rates for basic utilities, have one of the poorest environments, etc.
Let me guess, all because of illegals, right?
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
You are one hardheaded woman, Anita. Illegals do not pay their way. They contribute to the kitty but not enough to cover what they take out. Who pays for the 60 ,000 baby’s birthed here by an illegal mother? Who supplies the pre-natal and post natal care? The diapers? The baby food? I know you don’t want to believe it, Anita, but we do….not them….us.
Reply »
anita Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
You really think Texas provides pre- and post-natal care? Where? Diapers and baby food? They come from the HEB, and the illegal pays sales tax.
If you want to gripe about someone, gripe about the Texas employers who hire the illegal, and socialize the costs to the rest of us through ER visits, etc. You can’t claim an unfettered commitment to ‘free markets’ and then bitch when someone takes advantage of it, like the immigrant who just wants to provide for his family.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Illegal immigrants cost the State of Texas (including its local governments) $8.8 billion per year. This is a staggering sum of money brought about by a steady flow of illegals obtaining public education, criminal justice, and medical care. It amounts to nearly 10% of the State’s total annual expenditures of approximately $90 billion. And 60,000 children of illegal immigrants are born in Texas each year. The taxes and fees illegal immigrants pay is about 1/3 of what they cost the state of Texas. Your Dem president said he would rectify this problem. Just another empty promise.
Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Missouri has no illegals; go figure…shouldn’t the other states do the same?
Missouri’s approach to the problem of illegal immigration appears to be more advanced, sophisticated, strict and effective than anything to date in Arizona. Does the White House appreciate what Missouri has done? So, why doesn’t Missouri receive attention? Answer: There are no illegals in Missouri to demonstrate.
The “Show Me” state has again shown us how it should be done. There needs to be more publicity and exposure regarding what Missouri has done. Please pass this around.
In 2007, Missouri placed on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of Missouri. In November, 2008, nearly 90% voted in favor! Thus, English became the official language for ALL governmental activity in Missouri. No individual has the right to demand government services in a language OTHER than English.
In 2008, a measure was passed that required the Missouri Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be in Missouri illegally. Missouri law enforcement officers receive specific training with respect to enforcement of federal immigration laws.
In Missouri, illegal immigrants do NOT have access to taxpayer benefits such as food stamps or health care through Missouri Health NET.
In 2009, a measure was passed that ensures Missouri’s public institutions of higher education do NOT award financial aid to individuals who are illegally in the United States.
In Missouri, all post-secondary institutions of higher education to annually certify to the Missouri Dept. of Higher Education that they have NOT knowingly awarded financial aid to students who are unlawfully present in the United States.
So, while Arizona has made national news for its new law, it is important to remember, Missouri has been far more proactive in addressing this horrific problem. Missouri has made it clear that illegal immigrants are NOT welcome in the state and they will certainly NOT receive public benefits at the expense of Missouri taxpayers.
Taken from: The Ozarks Sentinel Editorial – Nita Jane Ayres, May 13, 2010.
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
As far as your questions about insurance and utilities goes, we are getting hosed, but quit lumping everything together. As long as our governor appoints people who are constantly nodding their heads yes to anything Big Money wants instead of being the advocate for the commonbred citizens of Texas, we will continue to pay higher prices than others. On this, we agree.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
You missed “poor environment”, JJ. Do you mean squalor or do you mean air quality, water quality and the like, Anita? If you mean poor living conditions, part of that is because we are a border state with 1.2 million plus illegals. If you mean air & water, it is because we and Louisiana are the only border states with port access willing to do the country’s dirty work and supply the rest with refined fuels and basic chemicals and synthetics. We would be in Calif. type shape if not for our willingness to produce. Come up with another argument. This particular one doesn’t hold water.
Reply »
anita Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Who told you this?
The reason our air is so bad is primarily because we burn tremendous amounts of Wyoming coal and low-quality Texas lignite to generate power. We also give industry a free pass in dealing with the pollution that impacts our public health — another example of socializing costs.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
You going to mention what blows in from Mexico or are you just going to blame it on big, bad Texas business?
anita Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Amazing. Republicans hold every statewide office in this state, as they have for close to 2 decades. Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, as they have for a number of sessions — even supermajorities. Republicans have had a Texan in the White House for 8 of the last 12 years.
So what is your excuse for the sad condition of our great state? Illegals and Mexico as our next door neighbor. Sorry, but you guys have to do better then that. How many billions have you guys spent on a border wall that seems to be doing no good, based upon what I’m hearing today. How many millions has Perry spent on the border — it’s apparently doing no good, according to the narrative you want to spin. So which one is it — because you guys own the condition we are in. No one else. You own it.
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Bush was muy simpatico. But he’s been gone for years now. States attempting to take immigration issues into their own hands get sued by Obama’s AG. It’s the fed’s responsibility. Obama controlled everything his first two years. He promised. He’s done nothing. Guess you can stick your head in the sand and ignore facts if you want to. Ideological fanatics are prone to do this.
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 7:34 am
“it is because we and Louisiana are the only border states with port access willing to do the country’s dirty work and supply the rest with refined fuels and basic chemicals and synthetics”
why are liberals afraid to get their hands dirty?
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks says:
The IRS has given EIN numbers to illegals so they can get tax credit for their neices and nephews living in Mexico. Enough! Dems want to bankrupt America so we can live in squalor like other 3rd world countries. Stop hating on America dems.
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Reply »
Stan Pinkham says:
Would you please provide us with a list of all Texas politicians you label as left-wing extremists?
Reply »
Scoop Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
It’s hard to tell. They all use pseudonyms on this blog.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Jeff Wentworthless and Hot Pants wendy davis
are both far left extremists.
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Au contraire, JBB. Hot pants Wendy is no far left fanatic. An extremist is someone like Sen Fraser, or Shiela Jackson Lee, or Pelosi. Wendy Davis has shown her entire career that she is willing to work with Repubs to move things forward. Ask Sen. Corona and others. Don’t ask Fraser.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 10:40 pm
“Would you please provide us with a list of all Texas politicians you label as left-wing extremists?” everyone to the left of David Simpson, Debbie Riddle and James White.
Reply »
Whoa, Nellie! says:
“What is going to stop the tea party and its deep-pockets national backers from taking over Texas politics with money that comes from outside the state?”
Well, among other things, the simplest thing would be for Texas voters to wake up and stop voting for these simple-minded, ideological jackasses. But I wouldn’t want to take that bet.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 5:24 am
“What is going to stop the tea party” the grownups just like they stopped dems. Anyone who is so politically naive to think there is no difference between parties shouldn’t be allowed to vote or even be allowed to participate in the political process.
Reply »
Omar Little Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Wait, I thought you went in the military because you wanted to defend American’s rights to take part in the political process. But now you don’t want certain Americans to participate, at least, those who don’t agree with you. That’s an interesting contradiction for such an honorable US veteran as yourself.
So were you lying then about your reasons for being in the military (if you even wore the uniform) or are you lying now?
I don’t know, JBB, maybe you should stick to solving crimes instead of promoting Russian-like single party systems.
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
Redstate: “Is David Dewhurst a Conservative? Of Course Not.”
The kicker for me is all those Republican state senators, partners-in-crime, who have reflexively jumped on board with Dewhurst. Still defending that farce they put on last session.
And George Will – he is a mushy, establishment, DC insider moderate himself. (I do agree with him on some issues… get out of Afghanistan, etc.)
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/07/26/is-david-dewhurst-a-conservative-of-course-not/
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
Twitter followers:
David Dewhurst – 4,278
Ted Cruz – 25,246
Facebook likes:
David Dewhurst – 41,790
Ted Cruz – 84,193
Ron Paul – 1,038,448
Snooki – 2,455,957
Barack Obama – 27,537,328
Justin Bieber – 45,683,256
Lady Gag Gag – 52,985,433
http://www.facebook.com/tedcruzpage
Reply »
Garner's Bucket says:
I would refer the gentleman to the aforementioned “laughable propaganda conceived by the semi-deranged” and add to that the portion contributed as well by the soullessly cynical hired guns.
Reply »
Anita-Morrow-JohnJohnson-JBernardBooks says:
Let’s see, there have been 163 comments on (or I should say “under”) this article and 51 of them came from four posters.
I saw we rename this blog the Anita-Morrow-JJ-JBB & Burka blog.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 10:22 am
True – how about adding some interesting and informative content on a regular basis and we can expand this blog?
Reply »
John Johnson Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Do we owe someone an apology? Are we taking up space you would have been using?
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
uh oh the bored state workers are threatening to strike over the number of posts ratio to their IQ or something.
Reply »
Omar Little Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Bored? You’re the one posting here at 5:30 am on a Sunday. Or does fighting crime require you to be up before dawn commenting on Burkablog?
Bozo says:
I know everyone has to earn a living … but, Paul, how do you stand these crazies? The comments section here gets to be less and less about politics and more and more about mean spirited people with time on their hands. But then, God help us, that is what Texas politics has become.
Reply »
Sir Paul says:
All the lonely people, where do they all belong?
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
Have you ever seen a picture of Rick Perry when he was a fabulous cheerleader at Texas A&M? Take a look at it and tell me what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
http://www.facebook.com/editprofile.php?sk=picture&success=1#!/photo.php?fbid=139098589563316&set=a.112373685569140.14100.100003895285205&type=3&theater
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 5:27 am
The first thing that comes to mind is that pic is hanging in your bedroom….
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
I think Rick looks precious.
Reply »
Anonymous says:
Has anyone fully examined the books of Falcon Seaboard? Has any of Dew’s CIA exploits been declassified?
Reply »
Neither Hatfield nor McCoy says:
1976: “Ronald Reagan will destroy the Republican Party in Texas. Support Gerald Ford if you know what’s good for you. Don’t listen to the people who say he’s not conservative enough. Just go along so we can all get along.”
2012: “Ted Cruz will destroy the Republican Party in Texas. Support David Dewhurst if you know what’s good for you. Don’t listen to the people who say he’s not conservative enough. Just go along to get along.”
Reply »
Scoop Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 6:55 am
Ted Cruz is no Ronald Reagan. Reagan had broad based political knowledge. He was gov of the largest state. He was was dynamic. Cruz is a slimeball attorney.
Reply »
Neither Hatfield nor McCoy Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
The comparison is merely rhetorical – I’d also argue that Dewhurst is no Ford. But “attorney” is not synonymous with “slimeball” and Reagan spent more of his life in front of a camera in Hollywood than as governor. Cruz lacks governing experience, no one denies that. But from a simple rhetoric, campaign issues, what-does-the-party-look-like comparison? It’s accurate.
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
Politico: “Tea party’s Cruz looks poised for Texas triumph”
Well, it’s not over until it’s over. The Cruz supporters are going to keep blockwalking, making phone calls and waving signs all the way until the primary is done.
And the Dewhurst supporters are going to keep running those stupid commercials until they run out of money.
And then we will see what happens. My Tuesday Trifecta would be Cruz, Donna Campell & Steve Stockman ALL winning, which would make me very happy; I just don’t want to see Burka’s head explode when it does.
The trifecta’s probability is (.80)*(.60)*(.45) = which comes out to an unlikely, but very possible 22% chance, which is better than me getting a date with Salma Hayek.
“The two most recent public polls have shown Cruz ahead. And a Dewhurst ally with knowledge of an internal survey separate from the campaigns told POLITICO his preferred candidate was trailing by high single digits heading into the weekend.
“I think [Dewhurst’s] done,” said the Republican who shared the information in exchange for anonymity. “It’s Nebraska, Indiana. You just smell it. He’s toast.” …
I know we’re winning the early vote,” said Dewhurst adviser Dave Carney. [I don't think Carney is right. And there is tidal wave coming on Tuesday.]
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
I forgot to include the Politico link: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/79092.html
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
Poll: Cruz Leading Dewhurst by 10 Points
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/poll-cruz-leading-dewhurst-10-points/
“Among those who said they had already voted, Cruz was ahead of Dewhurst 55 percent to 40 percent, according to the poll, suggesting Dewhurst needs a large majority of voters to favor him on Tuesday.”
“Earlier Sunday, the Dewhurst campaign released the results of an internal poll showing Dewhurst leading Cruz 48 percent to 43 percent among likely GOP runoff voters. The live telephone poll was conducted July 24 – 26 by Dewhurst’s polling firm, Baselice & Associates.”
I think we ought to legaize marijuana. That way you don’t have to drug test campaign consultants like Mike Baselice who release these “polls.” In the future campaign consultants can appear live on TV taking a huge drag on a foot long doobie and say stuff like “We are up 70-30% … and our internal polls & demographic analysis of who is actually voting leaves us to think we will do even better on Tuesday.”
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 10:41 am
I’ve said all along that Cruz will win 55-45. I’m more convinced of that now than ever.
Reply »
Bob the builder says:
Who’s worse than Dewhurst? Cruz
And who’s worse than Cruz? Morrow
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks says:
Dewhurst by 6-8 pts I don’t which dem poll you quote.
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 6:57 am
Who going to call and get Morrow put on suicide watch Thursday morning?
Reply »
Robert Morrow says:
I am gaming for the Tuesday Trifecta of Cruz/Stockman/Campbell all winning.
Here is Tim Carney, a columnist for the Washington Examiner who hates crony capitalism, gushing over Cruz:
“Carney: Cruz would bring conservative muscle to Senate”
http://washingtonexaminer.com/carney-cruz-would-bring-conservative-muscle-to-senate/article/2503393
Reply »
Anonymous Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 10:21 am
Have your anti-depressants ready, Robert.
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 10:41 am
Carney is a very good libertarian columnist.
Reply »
JohnBernardBooks says:
Thanks to my good friend and advisor Robert, I am currently reading the latest Robert A Caro book about LBJ The Passage of Power and pages 150-1554 describes how many votes dems “manufactured” for Kennedy/LBJ in Texas. Kennedy/LBJ “won” by 112,827 votes nationwide.
Democrats have refined the art of voter fraud. Watch for them to try again in 2012, thats the only way Texas will ever vote blue again.
Reply »
anon Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Sorta like the Bush fraud in Florida, ain’t it.
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Vote stealing and stuffing ballot boxes was the LEAST of that psychopath Lyndon Johnson’s crimes. Read LBJ: The Mastermind of the JFK Assassination
http://www.amazon.com/LBJ-The-Mastermind-JFK-Assassination/dp/1616083778/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343675746&sr=8-1&keywords=LBJ+mastermind
Then read “Beyond Reason: The Mental Collapse of Lyndon Johnson”
Reply »
Spiro Eagleton says:
I think tomorrow night is going to be a big win for Cruz. Dewhurst’s ads over the weekend are horrible and desperate. He has one now where he’s walking around south Texas talking about the border and he ends it by saying into the camera, “Let’s shut it down.” I guess he’s saying he wants to shut down the border? Shut down illegal immigration? Perhaps just shut down his horrid campaign? He’s also got allies running an ad with some woman whose son committed suicide and she somehow blames Cruz and says he should be ashamed. What a horrible ad. It reminds me of the one Jeb Bush ran in FL in ’94 against Chiles and was seen by many as causing a big enough backlash against Bush that Chiles held on for a narrow win.
Reply »
joe says:
But I thought that those “racist” and “bigoted” Tea Partiers wouldn’t vote for a guy with a Hispanic last name.
How is electing a Hispanic Republican to the Senate a bad thing for the future of the GOP?
Reply »
paulburka Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 11:21 am
To the best of my knowledge, I have never written that Cruz’s last name would be a handicap, although I have heard others say it.
Reply »
Really Burka? says:
First, where are all the people who said Dewhurst could never lose?
I’m amazed that this article tries to correlate Governor Perry, the rise of the tea party, and Cruz spending less the Dewhurst while still winning. This article actually claims causation. That is out there. Except for campaign personnel I don’t think there is much connection.
And Governor Dewhurst is still outspending DC and Cruz. To claim otherwise is just false.
The only line in the article with which I agree with goes something like this: “It’s not that Dewhurst doesn’t get it, it’s that he just can’t sell it.” This is the real problem. He does not share his message. His campaign actually avoids sharing the message. Future candidates should take notes on this.
Finally, an hispanic republican will be the downfall of the republican party in Texas? Really, Burka?
Reply »
Anonymous says:
Isn’t it hilarious that Dewcarney is about to lose?
Reply »
Robert Morrow Reply:
July 30th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Yes. DewCarneyPerryPatrick.
Reply »
domestic electrician says:
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was once a amusement account it. Glance complex to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how can we keep up a correspondence?
Reply »
Tracy smith says:
Thank God Texans have a choice with Paul Sadler whoever is the Republican Nominee.
Reply »
Distinguished Gentleman says:
What makes you so sure that Grady Yarbrough won’t be the Democrats’ nominee for U.S. Senator?
Reply »
Nick says:
It’s always amusing how people criticize career politicians, then to on about how great their guy is going to be and how they hope he’ll be a career politician. Their guy is always different. Ah, the partisan mind is a fascinating thing to behold.
Reply »
lista gratis barcelona says:
Generally I do not learn article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very great article.
Reply »